EFFECTS OF CHILD AGE AND LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY ON FAMILY-PRACTICE PHYSICIANS DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSIONS

A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to examine the effects of child age (20 and 40 months) and level of developmental delay (mild and severe) on identification of developmental disorders by 155 family practice ph ysicians. Results provide preliminary evidence that level of delay inf luences identification of developmental delay, with mild delay less li kely to be detected. Implications in light of federal legislation as w ell as directions for future research were discussed.